Mono-Spec Stencil is a monospaced family of sans-serif type. At least in default settings, all characters across the typeface share a common width, which is immediately noticeable for its condensed nature. Mono-Spec Stencil is a sibling of a non-stencil family, simply named Mono-Spec. Characters in each are just as wide, allowing Mono-Spec Stencil to be used together with Mono-Spec, as a secondary typeface. As a typeface whose characters are stencil-shaped, this design channels the spirit of resistance and street culture. When you look at the family, remember that it ships in two different formats. Depending on your preference, you can install the typeface as a single Variable Font or use the family’s five static OpenType font files instead. Those weights run from Light through Bold. While the static-format fonts offer a good intermediary-step selection, users who install the Variable Font have vastly greater control over their text’s stroke width. The Mono-Spec Stencil Variable Font’s weight axis allows users to differentiate between almost 1,000 possible font weights. That enables you to fine-tune your text’s exact appearance on-screen or in print. Whatever format you choose, the Mono-Spec Stencil fonts are equipped with several OpenType features. The most striking of these can be activated via a Stylistic Set. That will replace several letters – like “B”, “E”, “F”, “H”, and “I” with double-width alternates. Those alternates take up as much space as two characters placed next to each other otherwise word. The effect of Mono-Spec Stencil’s double-width alternates is striking, and their use strikes a strong chord in any display typography applying them.

At VetteLetters we like food but we also appreciate our drinks. Yes, of the non-alcoholic kind as well. Like milk. Contrary to what Arnold Schwartzenegger once said, Milk is not just for babies. It contains a whole lot of stuff that is genuinely good for you. Like proteins, carbohydrates, minerals (calcium a.o.) and many vitamins. One time visiting The Hague, Donald DBXL spotted a tile tableau on a brick wall, advertising a dairy factory called ‘De Sierkan’. Yellow sans serif letters on a bright blue background, dating back to the late 19th century, immediately grabbed DBXL’s attention. Especially because the tableau showed both regular and bold letters with some lovely peculiarities here and there. De Sierkan appeared to have been a milk factory solely operating in The Hague from 1879 until 1961. A number of these wall adverts are still to be seen in The Hague streets today. Photos were taken for later reference. Later is now, the lettering has been digitized, missing characters added, and VLNL Melk sees the light of day. VLNL Melk is an all-caps geometric display sans serif family of three weights, Regular, Bold and Black. The basic shape of the letters is a rectangle with rounded corners, leaving a sturdy no-nonsense look and feel. It has a distinct historic aura, but with both feet in this digital day and age. It can equally well be used for the logo of a hipster coffee place, as the cover of a historic novel. Actually, VLNL Melk kan be applied in a wide range of designs like logos, posters, flyers, book covers and magazine headlines.